Alex Smith’s “tentative and uncertain pocket play” played a key role in the 49ers’ NFC Championship Game loss Sunday, Greg Cosell wrote in his blog for “NFL Films.” Cosell, after reviewing coaches’ film, noted three poor plays in particular:

In the first, Smith failed to hit a wide-open Michael Crabtree on the 49ers’ first third-down play and instead threw an incomplete check-down to Frank Gore.

In the second example, Smith overthrew Kyle Williams with a 50-yard bomb on their first snap of the second quarter.

And, third, Smith took a 7-yard sack rather than pass to an open Delanie Walker on their first snap after halftime.

“Smith was reluctant to let it loose on routes and throws that were not only well designed, but were open,” Cosell wrote. “They were primary reads. No progressions were involved.

“One of the attributes that separates high level quarterback play in big games and critical moments is the willingness to make stick throws into smaller windows. Smith did that with confidence against the Saints. In the NFC Championship game, he was hesitant and cautious on throws that were clearly defined. Simply put, Smith left a lot of plays on the field against the Giants. While (Kyle) Williams publicly shouldered the burden of defeat, it was his quarterback who failed to deliver on the promise he had shown a week earlier.”